Labeling machine

Abstract

A machine for labeling containers which are oriented vertically and have a bottom surface provided with a transverse jam recess that is at least partially radial to the longitudinal axis of the container. The machine includes a labeler and a work table moveable relative to the labeler. A plurality of plates are each mounted on the table for rotation about vertical axis and each plate includes a container supporting surface. A holder is disposed above each plate for vertical movement relative thereto. A counter jam is mounted on each rotary plate for movement between a first position below the container supporting surface and a second position in which a portion of the counter jam extends above the container supporting surface for cooperating with the jam recess of a container positioned on the support surface. At least three rollers are mounted on each rotary plate to support the container for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis relative to the rotary plate. The rollers of each group are positioned with a part of their peripheral surface above the upper support surface and each being mounted before rotation about an axis which extends radially relative to the container longitudinal axis to support the container for rotational movement relative to the plate. A drive is coupled to the rollers for rotating the same about their respective rotational axis.

I claim: 
     
       1. A machine for labeling containers having a longitudinal axis which is oriented vertically and wherein each of the containers has a bottom surface provided with a jam which is oriented transversely relative to the container bottom surface and at least partially radial relative to the container longitudinal axis, said machine including labeling means and a work table which is moveable relative to the labeling means,   a plurality of plates mounted on said table in a spaced apart relation for rotation about a vertical axis, each of said plates defining a container supporting surface extending around its respective rotational axis,   holding means mounted above each plate for vertical movement relative thereto,   a counter jam disposed on each of said rotary plates and being moveable from a first position where it is below the container supporting surface of its respective plate to a second position disposed above said surface for cooperation with the jam of a container positioned on the container supporting surface,   at least three rollers mounted on each of said rotary plates for providing relative rotational movement around a vertical axis between a container positioned in the container surface of each plate and the counter jam thereof,   the rollers of each group being positioned with a part of their peripheral surface disposed above its respective rotary plate to define container supporting means, each roller being mounted for rotation about an axis which extends radially relative to the longitudinal axis of a container disposed on the rotary plate, and   drive means for rotating the rollers about their respective rotational axis.   
     
     
       2. A machine for labeling containers oriented generally vertically and having a longitudinal axis and a bottom surface provided with a jam oriented transversely and at least partially radially to the longitudinal axis of the container, said machine including labeling means and a work table moveably mounted relative to the labeling means, a plurality of plates spaced apart from each other and each mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on said work table and each defining a label supporting surface extending around its vertical axis of rotation,   holding means mounted above each rotary plate for vertical movement relative thereto,   a counter jam disposed on each rotary plate, said counter jam being moveable from a first position where it is below the container supporting surface into a second position where the counter jam extends above the container supporting surface for cooperating with the jam of a container positioned on the container supporting surface,   a plurality of rotary members each having a circular outer periphery, said rotary members being rotatably mounted on the rotary plates and around the vertical rotational axis of each of the rotary plates for providing relative rotational movement around the longitudinal container axis and between a container positioned on the container surface and each of the rotary plates and its respective counter jam, and   driving means for driving the circular members around the container longitudinal axis.   
     
     
       3. The labeling machine set forth in claims 1 or 2 including gear means associated with the rollers, said driving means including at least one ring having gear means engaging the gear means of the rollers. 
     
     
       4. The labeling machine set forth in claim 3 and including a fixed control guide associated with each rotary plate and each having a surface disposed laterally of the plate and extending along at least a part thereof, said ring rotating on the surface of the control guide upon rotation of the work table. 
     
     
       5. The labeling machine set forth in claim 4 and wherein the surface of the control guide is a wear surface. 
     
     
       6. The labeling machine set forth in claim 4 wherein the surface of the control guide has a gear means which meshes with the gear means of the one ring of the drive means. 
     
     
       7. The labeling meachine as set forth in claim 3 and including a drive roller and a guide roller, an endless belt extending around said drive and guide rollers with at least one ring of the driving means engaging said endless belt. 
     
     
       8. The labeling machine set forth in claims 1 or 2 and including spring means disposed on each rotary plate, said spring means biasing the counter jam to its second position whereby the counter jam when in its second position can be pressured back into its first position against the biasing effect of the spring means. 
     
     
       9. The labeling machine as set forth in claims 1 or 2 and including a control cylinder for displacing the counter jam between its first and second positions. 
     
     
       10. The labeling machine as set forth in claims 1 or 2 and including means for displacing the counter jam between its first and second positions, and a plurality of control cams one of which is rotatably mounted about each axis of rotation of the plates and coupled to the counter jam displacement means. 
     
     
       11. The labeling machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein the counter jam displacement means comprises a spring. 
     
     
       12. The labeling machine as set forth in claim 11 wherein said spring comprises a leaf spring. 
     
     
       13. The labeling machine as set forth in claims 1 or 2 wherein the counter jam comprises a pawl pivotally mounted on each of the rotary plates. 
     
     
       14. The labeling machine as set forth in claim 13 and including a plurality of control cams one of which is rotatably mounted about each axis of rotation of the rotary plates, spring means fixed to said pawl and cooperationg with said control cam. 
     
     
       15. The labeling machine as set forth in claim 14 wherein said spring compises a leaf spring. 
     
     
       16. The machine set forth in claim 2 wherein the circular members are discs. 
     
     
       17. The machine set forth in claim 2 wherein the circular members are rings.